But so it was; and there verily stood Mr. Asquith at the box in front of the Speaker’s chair introducing the third great Bill of the Government in the same evening.  Mr. Asquith’s grasp of Parliamentary method increases daily.  He is really a born Parliamentarian.  It is certain that he has made up his mind to go back to the bar when his time for retiring from office comes; it will be a tremendous pity if he does.  Such a man is wasted before juries and in the pettiness of nisi prius.  For the moment, however, he sails before the wind.  With his youthful—­almost boyish face—­clean-shaven, fair and fresh—­with his light brown hair carefully combed, school-boy fashion, and with no more trace of white than if he were playing football in a school gymnasium—­he is a wonderful example of early and precocious political fortune.  There is in his face a certain cheery cynicism—­a combination of self-confidence and perhaps of self-mockery, the attitude of most clear-sighted men towards fortune, even when she is most smiling.  At the outset Mr. Asquith had to encounter an amendment from Mr. Chamberlain.  It is needless to say that, while the most Radical Government which ever existed is proposing Radical legislation, the cue of Mr. Chamberlain will be now and then to “go one better”—­to use the American phrase; and accordingly here was an amendment from Birmingham which went even further than the Bill of Mr. Asquith.  With gentle but effective ridicule Mr. Asquith, riddled the Chamberlain amendment; but for the moment the amendment served the purpose of delaying further progress with the Bill.

[Sidenote:  Another surprise.]

And there was another surprise—­actually a fourth Bill—­also from the Government Bench; and also proposing to make a further beneficial change in the position of working men.  Mr. Mundella wanted to get power for the Board of Trade to regulate the hours of labour among poor railway men.  Sir Michael Hicks-Beach—­who burnt his fingers over Stationmaster Hood—­rushed up after Mr. Mundella had sate down—­to claim a portion of the credit for this beneficial change.  Here, again, the Opposition showed that meekness which has come over its temper.  For six years the Tories were in office, but there was no Bill.  The moment he was out, Sir Michael was full of the best intentions.  But his attempt to get credit for other men’s work was vain; for he counted without Mr. Bartley—­the gentleman whom North Islington sends to Parliament for the purpose of impeding all useful legislation.  And that Bill also was delayed.

[Sidenote:  The government and private members.]